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Generally, medical care in Thailand is
topnotch. Some have better expertise in certain organs, ie
heart/prostrate problems The cost of medical care is extremely low compared
to stateside prices. U.S.
insurance may not be valid in Thailand,
also it is important to note that Medicare
does not pay outside the U.S.
TIP: It is highly advised to
have some type of health insurance. If you are have a motorbike accident or
require hospitalization, having a valid health insurance minimizes your being
refused medical care because hospitals are not happy about writing off
medical expenses that they can never collect. The Thai newspapers are filled
with stories of Farangs
and Thai needing emergency care who were refused medical care at private
hospitals and died looking for a hospital that would accept them.
Clinics:
Numerous clinics exist in Pattaya - almost on every block! The doctors speak
adequate English. Clinic costs are often only 100 baht. People visit clinics
for minor medical reasons or to get a lab test. Clinics are also cheap for
getting required medical certificates that governments
require. A medical certificates, for example,
is needed when applying for a Thai drivers license.
Tip: Dr. Olivier Meyer is the most established
and popular western doctor in Pattaya. He is from Switzerland
and speaks very good English, French,and German. He
writes and speaks Thai .He is a good choice for saving money compared to
hospital prices. He even makes housecalls!
Phone:
038-723-600; 038-723-590; After hours: 086-827-6922
Address:
20/29 Moo 10, Soi Hotel Day-Night, Pattaya. He is directly opposite Day-Nite
Hotel off Pattaya Tai.
Private Hospitals:
Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital. 0-3825-9999. This is the premier hospital in Pattaya. It reputedly has the equipment and staff to
handle any health problem. It is also the most expensive! It has an
International Department to assist Farangs. It is
located on the north end of town on Sukhumvit Road, 301 Sukhumvit Road,
K.M. 143, Banglamung, Chonburi. There is an English Doctor who you can
talk with prior to seeing a Thai doctor. His name is Dr. Ian Cornis. He is available from 9AM to 12 noon. He can be
reached at 038-427777 extension 1149.
Pattaya International
Hospital. 038-428-374. Many Falangs
have expressed hope that the quality of care would improve regarding full
disclosure of medical consequences of certain procedures in dermatology and
Urology. Generally, service is adequate. The front office, however, will
curiously demand full payment in advance of medication that needs to be
ordered. It may be the only hospital with this curious policy. It is located
on 2nd road and Soi 4. 255/4 Soi
4, 2nd Road,
Pattaya, Chonburi.
Pattaya Memorial
Hospital. 038-429-422. It provides adequate, responsible
care at reasonable prices. 038-245735. The reception room is a little cramped
compared to other hospitals. It is located near the intersection of 2nd road
and Pattaya
Klang Road.
Phayathai Hospital – Srirachai.
038-770-2008. It provides good, responsible care at reasonable prices and has
an International Department to assist Farangs. A
Scot named Gavin Wadell is assigned to the hospital
and can assist (081-000-7077). It is located at 90 Sriracha
Nakorn 3 Road, Sriracha.
It is located on the outskirts of Pattaya, 20
minutes from Pattaya on the Sukhumvit Road
headed for Bangkok.
Public Hospitals:
Queen Sirikit
Hospital : 038-436-107. This is an inexpensive, 1000 bed
public hospital, with 30 operating tables. Doctor/Dentist visits average 200
baht. Doctor wait-time is 45-60 minutes. Dentist wait-time is 10-20 minutes.
English speaking is rare. Most signs are in Thai. Bring a Thai friend to
translate. The Information Desk does, however, have English speakers.
TRANSPORTATION: Enter public bus on Sukhumvit, near Pattaya Tai at
the pedestrian bridge. Take the bus marked Bangkok-Rayong.
Bus fare is 30 baht. Depart every 30 minutes. Drive time is 60 minutes.
DIRECTIONS: The hospital is near U-Tapao
Naval Airport
at Sattahip.
1st Landmark: Freeway sign: U-Tapao Airport
– Rayong
2nd Landmark: free way sign: (33) (3)
(3126)
Exit bus at 2nd Landmark. You can see the hospital from the bus stop. There
is no crosswalk so carefully cross the street. Enter the hospital parking
lot. Walk toward the building with the red EMERGENCY sign. Enter the building
to the left. That is the front entrance of the Hospital.
+ Go to Information Booth. They speak English.
+ Go to registration booth (#7,8 or 9) to apply for a
Patient Card.
+ Complete the Patient Application. Provide a copy of your passport. If you
didn’t make a copy, go to the copy machine area. Charge is 1 baht!
+ Pick up your patient I.D. card and tell the Thai speaking staff which
department you need to see and they will write up a department card for you
to be received.
+ Go to Department indicated. Turn in paperwork. Wait to be called.
+ Go to Payment Counter. Pay bill for today’s medical services.
Banglamung Hospital Naklua. 038-428-135; 038-429-244.A low cost Government
hospital in Naklua area. Take a Thai speaking
friend. 669,Moo 5, Sawang Fah
Road,
Naklua
Beach.
TRICARE Approved Hospitals (see FAQ-VFW)
Lab Analysis. 038-488048; 081-481-7180. Why pay 2000 baht for a
lab test at a hospital when you can pay 600 baht. Private labs offer PSA,
cholesterol, glucose and 20 other tests at very inexpensive prices. One such
lab is Life Care Meditech Lab on 3nd Road
between Pattaya Tai and Thappraya Road.
Look for the Laundry Express sign and drive into that soi.
This type of lab is only recommended if you don’t need to see a doctor.
Lab tech speaks minimal English. Helps to have a Thai friend accompany you, however, they do have a chart of services. I just
pointed to the chart and paid for the test. Some results are immediate, some take 3-4 days.
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